Beverage Can Holder

ABSTRACT

A beverage can holder that can be used with a conventional beverage can includes an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion, an upper end portion, and a lower end portion. The upper and lower end portions are adapted to engage the upper and lower ends of the can, respectively. The lower end portion has a bottom surface that is configured to stabilize the holder-can combination on a flat surface. The body portion is configured to be securely grasped. A first alternative embodiment has a lower end portion with multiple legs that increases the stability of the holder-can combination. A second alternative embodiment has a lower end portion with a large ring that supports the holder-can combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Reference to Related Application

The present application relates to, and incorporates herein by reference, a concurrently filed design patent application filed by the applicant herein, attorney docket no. RML-18011.

2. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to beverage can holders and, more particularly, to a beverage can holder that can be attached quickly and easily to a beverage can and which will permit a consumer to drink from the can without touching the can.

3. Description of the Prior Art

Beverage cans in a wide variety of sizes and shapes have been known for many years. Typically, such cans are made of aluminum or aluminum alloy in a “deep draw” process. The upper ends of the cans include a tab that can be bent or pried so as to displace a small panel that will permit access to the contents of the cans. The size and shape of cans as described have become fairly standardized for most beverages such as soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic beverages such as beer. Typically, each can holds 12 fluid ounces (355 ml).

Although cans as described have become quite popular, a problem exists in that the consumer must grasp the outside of a can in order to maneuver the can and consume the contents thereof (if the contents are not being poured into a separate container for consumption from the separate container). Because the cans are made of metal, they conduct heat from the consumer's hand and thus warm the contents of the can. The outside of the can may have a layer of condensed water thereon. Moreover, if the can and its contents have been chilled, the outside of the can will be cold to the user's touch.

The prior art has attempted to address these problems in different ways. One approach has been to provide a thick, insulating sleeve into which the can is inserted. The sleeve provides a layer of insulation and prevents the user's hand from contacting the outer surface of the can. Unfortunately, the sleeve is thick and undesirably increases the outer diameter of the container. Small hands may find such a sleeve unacceptable. Another approach has been to provide a handle that is attached to the can. The handle is connected to the upper and lower flanges and projects from the side of the can. While the handle does not increase the outer diameter of the can, it makes the can unstable when placed on a flat surface. Also, the handle is difficult to grasp and maneuver the can.

Desirably, a beverage can holder would be available that could be attached to a beverage can quickly and easily. Any such beverage can holder hopefully would be inexpensive, would hold the can in a stable manner on a flat surface, and would be easy to grasp so that the can could be maneuvered readily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In response to the foregoing concerns, the present invention provides a new and improved beverage can holder that can be attached to a conventional beverage can having a cylindrical outer surface, an upper flange, and a lower flange. The holder comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends, the body portion having a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion from slipping when being grasped by a user. Preferably, the surface configuration of the body portion is selected from the group consisting of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and knurling. The holder also has an upper end portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, the upper end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the upper end portion adapted to engage the upper flange of the beverage can, and a lower end portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the lower end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the lower end portion adapted to engage the lower flange of the beverage can, the lower end portion having a bottom wall adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom wall being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact.

In a second embodiment that employs a number of elements of the first embodiment, the beverage can holder has a lower end portion that includes a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member is generally straight and is connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member. The second member is generally rounded and engages the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member. The third member includes a ring that in use is disposed within the inner portion of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member and including a pair of spaced legs that project outwardly of the lower flange and which include bottom walls adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom walls being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall of the lower end portion engages the flat surface. In a third embodiment that is similar to the second embodiment, the ring is larger and is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter of the lower flange. In this embodiment, there is no need to have any legs projecting outwardly of the ring; the bottom of the ring constitutes the bottom wall of the lower end portion.

In each embodiment of the invention, the body portion and the upper and lower end portions preferably are formed integrally. The body portion and the upper and lower end portions can be formed in a stamping or molding operation to minimize manufacturing expense. The body portion and the upper and lower end portions can be formed from an inexpensive, readily available material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage can holder according to the invention attached to a beverage can;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the beverage can holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the beverage can holder of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the beverage can holder of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Beverage cans in a wide variety of sizes and shapes have been known for many years. Typically, such cans are made of aluminum in a “deep draw” process. A cupping press cuts circular discs from a thin sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy and forms the discs into shallow cups. The cups are drawn into higher cups by passing them through a series of iron rings. Can bodies thus formed are trimmed at the top, washed, printed on the outside, baked, coated on the inside with a protective layer, and baked again. The upper end of each can body then is necked down and a lip, or flange, is formed at the top edge. The bottom of the can body is reformed to create a flange and a small dome that improve the strength of the resultant can. When the finished can is placed on a flat surface, the can rests on the bottom flange.

Separately, lids (or can ends) are made into round shells that are scored to define an opening panel, coated with a protective layer and dried. A button is formed on the outer surface of each shell adjacent the opening panel, and an easy-open tab is secured to the button. The cans are shipped to beverage companies who fill the cans with a beverage and apply the can ends to the can bodies to seal the contents of the can within the can. When the tab is tiled or pried by a consumer, the opening panel will be displaced and the contents of the can will be available to the consumer.

The dimensions of cans as described have become fairly standardized for most beverages such as soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic beverages such as beer. Typically, each can holds 12 fluid ounces (355 ml). Conventional dimensions are about 4 13/16 inches high, 2 11/16 inches outer diameter, 2 1/16 inches bottom flange outer diameter, 1¾ inches bottom flange inner diameter, ⅜ inch depth of dome from bottom flange, and ¼ inch depth of upper flange.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a beverage can holder according to the invention is indicated by the reference numeral 10. The holder 10 is intended for use with a conventional beverage can 12. As indicated previously, the can 12 has a cylindrical outer surface 14 and an upper flange 16 that defines a circumferential channel 18. The can 12 has a lower flange 20 that the can 12 normally rests upon when placed on a flat surface (not shown). The flange 20 has an inner diameter 22 and an outer diameter 24. A dome 26 completes the inner portion of the bottom of the can 12.

The holder 10 includes an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion 30 that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends 32, 34. The body portion 30 has a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion 30 from slipping when being grasped by a user. Preferably, the surface configuration of the body portion 30 consists of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and/or knurling. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface configuration is shown as laterally extending grooves 36 that are formed on surfaces of the body portion 30 that are closest to, and farthest away from, the beverage can 12 when the beverage can holder 10 is attached to the beverage can 12.

An upper end portion 38 is connected to the upper end 32 of the body portion 30. The upper end portion 38, when viewed from the side as in FIG. 2, projects from the body portion 30 at approximately a right angle. The upper end portion 38 is adapted to engage the upper flange 16 of the beverage can 12. A lower end portion 40 is connected to the lower end 34 of the body portion 30. The lower end portion 40, when viewed from the side as in FIG. 2, projects from the body portion 30 at approximately a right angle. The lower end portion 40 is adapted to engage the lower flange 20 of the beverage can 12. The lower end portion 40 has a bottom wall 42 adapted to rest on a flat surface (not shown). The bottom wall 42 is configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the holder 10 is attached to the can 12.

The upper end portion 38 includes a laterally extending member 44 that has first and second ends 46, 48. The first end 46 is connected to the upper end 32 of the body portion 30 and the second end 48 includes a pair of spaced protrusions 50 that in use engage the upper flange 16 and are disposed on either side thereof. A spur 52 is disposed at the upper end 32 of the body portion 30 adjacent the intersection of the body portion 30 and the laterally extending member 44. The spur 52 in use is disposed on the opposite side of the body portion 30 from the beverage can 12. The spur provides the user with a place to apply force with the user's thumb.

The lower end portion 40 includes a first member 54 and a second member 56. The first member is generally straight and is connected at one end to the lower end 34 of the body portion 30 and is connected at the other end to the second member 56. The second member 56 is generally rounded and engages the inner portion 22 of the lower flange 20 and a portion of the cylindrical surface 14. The bottom wall 42 is included as part of the second member 56.

Preferably, the body portion 30 and the upper and lower end portions 38, 40 are formed integrally in a stamping or molding operation. A preferred material for the holder 10 is an inexpensive, readily available material such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material. While it is expected that the width of the holder 10 will be approximately 0.5 inch, the thickness of the upper and lower end portions 38, 40 will be approximately 0.125 inch, and the body portion 30 will be approximately 0.75 inch in diameter, it will be appreciated that the actual dimensions can be adjusted to fit the needs of the expected user. Regardless of the material that the holder 10 is made from and the particular dimensions of the various components, the upper and lower end portions 38, 40 must be able to be spread apart sufficiently far enough to engage the upper and lower flanges 16, 20 without coming loose while the device is being used.

Alternative Embodiments

Referring now to FIG. 3, a first alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated and is indicated by the reference numeral 60. The holder 60 is identical with the holder 10, except that it engages the can 12 in a different manner at the bottom of the can 12. Accordingly, in the description of the holder 60 that follows, like reference numerals from the holder 10 will be used to indicate components that are similar or identical, or which perform similar or identical functions.

The holder 60 has a lower end portion 62 that includes the first member 54, the second member 56, and a third member 64. The third member 64 includes a ring 66. The ring 66 in use is disposed within the inner portion 22 of the lower flange 20 in contact with the dome 26. If desired, the ring 66 could be enlarged so as to be disposed about the outer diameter 24 of the flange 20. The ring 66 is connected to the outer end 68 of the second member 56. The ring 66 includes a pair of spaced legs 70, 72 that are substantially similar in size and shape to the end of the second member 56. The legs 70, 72 project outwardly of the lower flange 20 and include bottom walls 74 adapted to rest on a flat surface. The bottom walls 74 are configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall 42 of the lower end portion 34 engages the flat surface. In effect, the holder 60 has three equidistantly spaced legs to support the can 12. By use of the holder 60, the can 12 will be maintained in an upright position on the flat surface, rather than in a tilted position as when the holder 10 is used.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a second alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated and is indicated by the reference numeral 80. The holder 80 is identical with the holder 10, except that it engages the can 12 in a different manner at the bottom of the can 12. Accordingly, in the description of the holder 80 that follows, like reference numerals from the holder 10 will be used to indicate components that are similar or identical, or which perform similar or identical functions.

The holder 80 has a lower end portion 82 that includes the first member 54, a second member 84, and a third member 86. The second member 84 is a shortened version of the second member 56. The third member 86 is a ring that in use is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter 24 of the lower flange 20. The ring 86 is connected to the outer end 88 of the second member 84. The ring 86 has a thickness that is slightly greater than the height of the lower flange 20. The bottom of the ring 86 is flat and is adapted to rest on a flat surface in surface-to-surface contact. By use of the holder 80, the can 12 will be maintained in an upright position on the flat surface, rather than in a tilted position as when the holder 10 is used.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the holders 10, 60, 80 according to the invention can be attached to a beverage can quickly and easily. The holders 10, 60, 80 are inexpensive, will hold the can in a stable manner on a flat surface, and will be easy to grasp so that the can will be able to be maneuvered readily.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment has been made only by way of example and that various changes may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed. 

1. A beverage can holder for attachment to a conventional beverage can having a cylindrical outer surface, an upper flange, and a lower flange, comprising: an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends, the body portion having a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion from slipping when being grasped by a user; an upper end portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, the upper end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the upper end portion adapted to engage the upper flange of the beverage can; and a lower end portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the lower end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the lower end portion adapted to engage the lower flange of the beverage can, the lower end portion having a bottom wall adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom wall being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact.
 2. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the surface configuration of the body portion is selected from the group consisting of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and knurling.
 3. The beverage can holder of claim 2, wherein the indentations, grooves, and knurling are formed on surfaces of the body portion that are closest to, and farthest away from, the beverage can when the beverage can holder is attached to the beverage can.
 4. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the upper end portion includes a laterally extending member having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the upper end of the body portion and the second end including a pair of spaced protrusions that in use engage the upper flange and are disposed on either side thereof.
 5. The beverage can holder of claim 1, further including a spur disposed at the upper end of the body portion adjacent the intersection of the body portion and the laterally extending member, the spur in use being disposed on the opposite side of the body portion from the beverage can.
 6. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the lower end portion includes a first member and a second member; the first member being generally straight and connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member; and the second member being generally rounded and engaging the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member.
 7. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the lower end portion includes a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being generally straight and connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member; the second member being generally rounded and engaging the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member; and the third member including a ring that in use is disposed within the inner portion of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member and including a pair of spaced legs that project outwardly of the lower flange and which include bottom walls adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom walls being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall of the lower end portion engages the flat surface.
 8. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the lower end portion includes a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being generally straight and connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member; the second member being generally straight and engaging a portion of the cylindrical surface; and the third member defining a ring that in use is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member, the ring having a bottom surface that forms the bottom wall.
 9. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the upper and lower end portions are formed integrally.
 10. The beverage can holder of claim 9, wherein the body portion and the upper and lower end portions are formed in a stamping or molding operation.
 11. The beverage can holder of claim 1, wherein the body portion and the upper and lower end portions are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material.
 12. A beverage can holder for attachment to a conventional beverage can having a cylindrical outer surface, an upper flange, and a lower flange, comprising: an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends, the body portion having a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion from slipping when being grasped by a user, the surface configuration of the body portion being selected from the group consisting of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and knurling, the indentations, grooves, and knurling being formed on surfaces of the body portion that are closest to, and farthest away from, the beverage can when the beverage can holder is attached to the beverage can; an upper end portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, the upper end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the upper end portion adapted to engage the upper flange of the beverage can, the upper end portion including a laterally extending member having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the upper end of the body portion and the second end including a pair of spaced protrusions that in use engage the upper flange and are disposed on either side thereof; a spur disposed at the upper end of the body portion adjacent the intersection of the body portion and the laterally extending member, the spur in use being disposed on the opposite side of the body portion from the beverage can; a lower end portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the lower end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the lower end portion adapted to engage the lower flange of the beverage can, the lower end portion having a bottom wall adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom wall being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact, the lower end portion including a first member and a second member; the first member being generally straight and connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member; and the second member being generally rounded and engaging the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member; and the body portion and the upper and lower end portions being formed integrally in a stamping or molding operation from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material.
 13. The beverage can holder of claim 12, wherein the lower end portion includes a first member, a second member, and a third member; the first member being generally straight and connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and connected at the other end to the second member; the second member being generally rounded and engaging the inner portion of the lower flange and a portion of the cylindrical surface, the bottom wall being included as part of the second member; and the third member including a ring that in use is disposed within the inner portion of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member and including a pair of spaced legs that project outwardly of the lower flange and which include bottom walls adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom walls being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact when the bottom wall of the lower end portion engages the flat surface.
 14. A beverage can holder for attachment to a conventional beverage can having a cylindrical outer surface, an upper flange, and a lower flange, comprising: an elongate, generally cylindrical body portion that defines a longitudinal axis and which has upper and lower ends, the body portion having a surface configuration adapted to prevent the body portion from slipping when being grasped by a user, the surface configuration of the body portion being selected from the group consisting of indentations, laterally extending grooves, and knurling, the indentations, grooves, and knurling being formed on surfaces of the body portion that are closest to, and farthest away from, the beverage can when the beverage can holder is attached to the beverage can; an upper end portion connected to the upper end of the body portion, the upper end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the upper end portion adapted to engage the upper flange of the beverage can, the upper end portion including a laterally extending member having first and second ends, the first end being connected to the upper end of the body portion and the second end including a pair of spaced protrusions that in use engage the upper flange and are disposed on either side thereof; a spur disposed at the upper end of the body portion adjacent the intersection of the body portion and the laterally extending member, the spur in use being disposed on the opposite side of the body portion from the beverage can; a lower end portion connected to the lower end of the body portion, the lower end portion, when viewed from the side, projecting from the body portion at approximately a right angle, the lower end portion adapted to engage the lower flange of the beverage can, the lower end portion having a bottom wall adapted to rest on a flat surface, the bottom wall being configured to engage the flat surface in surface-to-surface contact, the lower end portion including a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein: the first member is generally straight and is connected at one end to the lower end of the body portion and is connected at the other end to the second member; and the second member is generally straight and engages a portion of the cylindrical surface; and the third member defines a ring that in use is disposed concentrically about the outer diameter of the lower flange, the ring being connected to the end of the second member, the ring having a bottom surface that forms the bottom wall; and the body portion and the upper and lower end portions being formed integrally in a stamping or molding operation from a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or a plastics material. 